Clasp for plates or removable bridges.



W. F. SHAW.

CLASP FOR PLATES OR REMOVABLE BRIDGES.

7 APPLICATION FILED SEPT- lfi, 918. 4 1,293,950., Patented Feb. 11, 1919.

2 SHEETSSPEET I.

.k attozmmga W. F. SHAW.

CLASP FOR PLATES 0R REMOVABLE BRIDGES.

APPLICATIONHLED F 1 15,293,950. Patented Feb. 11, 1919.

Z S H E E T$ S H E E T 2- WILLIAM F. SHAW, or PUEBLO, oononAno.

' CLASP FOR PLATES 0P. REMOVABLE BRIDGESQ T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM F. SHAW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pueblo, in the county of Pueblo and State of Colorado, have invented a new and useful Clasp for Plates or Removable Bridges, of which the following is a specification.

The subject of this invention is a clasp for plates or removable bridges.

The main object of the invention is the provision of a clasp which may be readily placed in position to embrace a tooth and removed therefrom.

'Another dbject of the invention is the provision of a claspwhich may be firmly anchored to the solder or vulcanite rubber.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for detachably securing the clasp to a tooth.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for retaining the clasp iin osition on a tooth sothat the same may not e pressed down against the gum in biting.

The invention also contemplates generally improving the construction and enhancing the utility of clasps of this character.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds,the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

A practical structure for carrying out the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of a strip prepared in accordance with the invention and ready to be bent into a clasp;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a clasp constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a clasp with a Supporting plate in place thereon;

Fig. 4 is a view in front elevation of a removable bridge constructed with clasps in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing the locking of the solder to clasp; v 1

Specification of Letters Patent.

the

Patented Feb. 1, 1919.

Application filed September 16, 1918. Serial No. 254,294.

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference In carrying out the invention there is provided a strip of suitable metal 1, which has the requisite qualities of resiliency and hardness, and which is capable of resistance to deterioration, and this strip is curved transversely to conform to the contour of a tooth as seen most clearly in Fig. 1. Apertures 2 are drilled in the strip 1, and a space longitudinally thereof, and these apertures are countersunk or reamed out on the inner or concave side of the strip to form a locking means as will be hereinafter described. g

Slits are formed in each longitudinal edge of the strip 1, about midway between the ends thereof, and these slits converge inwardly. The portions 3, formed by the slits at one edge, are bent outwardly to form prongs. The portion 4, contained between the slits at the other edge is bent outwardly to form the trapezoidal projection, as seen most clearly in Fig. 2. I The strip is bent longitudinally, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, to embrace a tooth. I The prongs 3 are adapted to pass through slits or apertures formed in a plate 5, and to be bent back upon the plate-to clamp the same in position upon the strip or clasp 1. The plate 5 is formed of thin malleable metal and is bent to project inwardly above the clasp so as to be vin position to rest in the cusp of the tooth and support the clasp against downward pressure against the gum. The inwardly bent portion of the plate 5 is preferably built up, reinforced and thickened by solder so that the same may resist the action of biting. This building up of the plate 5 is preferably had after the strip 1 has been bent to embrace the particular tooth to which it is to be fitted, and the plate 5 has also been bent to conform to the cusp of the tooth.

When the clasps have been prepared as just described, the impression and bite are taken and the artificial teeth are attached to the clasps by solder or vulcanite rubber. The solder or vulcanite rubber will flow about the outwardly bent portion 4, and this portion will act to anchor the clasp to the solder. The solder or rubber will also flow through the apertures 2, and will spread into the countersunk portions, thereby locking the solder or rubber to the clasp, as seen most clearly in Fig. 7

Because of the outturned'portion 4,.a gap: or indentation is made in the lower edge of the clasp which permits the clasp to be 5 drawn well down toward the gum so that,

When the plate or; bridge is prepared as just cavity formed in the tooth, preferably with anumber six ri l, y drill'ih'g'illfe thetooth I until"thew head of the drill" is about halgtbnri d' A ball 7, of suitable metal, is then cemen ed n o h ity, bei g al b uriedtherein. The resiliency'of the clasp willla' low the elesp o p g ve th :b l 7; nds-"the Pr ec g po t n, 9 h h l will enter the countersunk portion of the aperture-2, seen most clearly in Fig. 8, o. .detachably secure he c asp in Pla e- The ball justdescribe'd is not an ess'en ial por ion of h st uctur a m y he left O llt if desired. It is also possible to m he plate ,.lsh d h p rator ish,

a d. n e 'ehlceee the p o 3 s to e chorthe clasp to the solder orrubber. Erem th regeine it w l be evident h "Clasps of arious sizes may be supplied and that, with little additional bending, such ela s may h m de to fit a y ze t fi v heiih edel ibed y i n i het Iida m s e n de l'fe. o e e r hy Let-i ters "Pa ehhjiezf I A a p e P e e rem a le e includ ng? {he ellie str p ben to 'e r ture in the presence oftwo witnesses.

to the contour of a tooth, thesaid strip probe brought down close to without Pressin o n the awn! Aic'la'sp li 'rila esorrem vable bri es, includ ng i inieta li' t ip den 'ed'te engage e teeth, re bei g anc or g e s e truck rom" the str p, a d, h r b i bendabl retain ng pr ng s uck e he s r r' n en edreh ie te th to u i I '5'. A clasp for plates or remoi able'bridges, including a metallic strip adapted to em race'a t oth; a d pla e ee p g en.-

gularly disposed parts, one of which exnd r arwardly, the e h o wh h v lap i the hin t r bei a P ss e 'l e from the strip, the prong, extending through the last, specified'part ofthe stripand be 7 4 ineele hed he eeh r 6-1 A e e p f iip tee or emev r including a metallic strip; adapted to'"emaperture, and af ball adapted for attache ment to a aperture. a V U I1 te im y h t new th f i e as'myown,I haue hereto afliized brace a tooth, the said strip provided with 509 h vheld 11 e e hle" h T he 7 Cop iesoithis patent may be obtained for fiue cents eachg biy-adqres'sihg tli e fcomn issioner of Patents;

washin in. cw 

